How you can protect yourself from Coronavirus-related scams:

There are some simple steps you can take that will protect you from the most common Coronavirus-related scams. Here’s what need to do:

Shopping online
If you're making a purchase from a company or person you don't know and trust, carry out some research first, for example, by checking to see if others have used the site and what their experience was. If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, other payment providers may not provide the same protection.

Unsolicited calls and browser pop-ups offering tech support
Never install any software, or grant remote access to your computer, as a result of a cold call. Remember, legitimate organisations would never contact you out of the blue to ask for financial details such as your PIN or full banking password.

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Fake PayPal emails -

PayPal is often a target for scammers looking for quick access to your money, so we’ve looked at two examples from this year so you know what to look out for. One informs the recipient that their account settings have changed, while another states the user’s account has been restricted. Both are attempts to extort your PayPal login details by requesting you to verify your account settings by logging in via a bogus link.

Here’s exactly what they look like and what to do if you come across either of these.

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How easy is it to post a fake ad?

It isn’t always the case that the adverts you see on Facebook or Google go through a stringent vetting process. You could be misled into buying something dodgy or unsafe, or fall victim to a financial scam. We investigated the digital advertising market and ran a simple experiment to find out just how easy it is to promote fake content online.

Here are our top tips to spot fake or misleading ads online.

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Common phone scams

Fraudsters have figured out countless ways to cheat you out of your personal information, bank details or money over the phone; calls (vishing) or texts (smishing). We explain the most common phone scams that seem to have been making a comeback this year and what to do if you receive any of these.

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Useful Links -​

 

• https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/06/travellers-warned-of-cancelled-holiday-refund-scams-this-summer/?utm_source=whichcouk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scamalert020720

 

• https://conversation.which.co.uk/money/nhs-fake-coronavirus-contact-tracing-text-scam/?utm_source=whichcouk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scamalert050620

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• https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/check-if-something-might-be-a-scam/